Associate COO – Research Operations & Strategy

CAMBRIDGE CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

CAMBRIDGE CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE LTD. seeks an Associate Chief Operating Officer to join the leadership team of CARES in Singapore.

The role reports to the COO and partners with CARES Directors to advance operations, governance, and strategic development during a growth phase. The Associate COO will oversee functions across the Centre, drive strategic initiatives, coordinate activities, and support delivery of CARES' research and operational objectives in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a recognised university in science, engineering, business, management, administration, or a related discipline.
• Experience in research administration, higher education, research institutes, government agencies, or other R&D intensive environments and has knowledge of research governance,compliance and administration.
• Familiarity with Singapore's research and innovation ecosystem and research funding landscape.
• Experience supporting major research grant applications, programme delivery, and research operations.
• Strong governance support,meeting management, and minute-taking capabilities.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery in a complex stakeholder environment.
• Demonstrated experience driving process improvement and operational excellence.
• Experience in laboratory, facilities, or research infrastructure planning and development.
• Strong strategic planning, resource management, and prioritisation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent written skills, including the preparation of board papers, strategic reports, and f

Responsibilities

• Operational Oversight - Take responsibility for selected functional areas within the COO's portfolio, such as compliance, grant ramp-up and closure, infrastructure planning, and outreach.
• Strategic Planning - Contribute to long-term strategic development, including financial projections, contingency planning, and growth initiatives.
• Project Leadership - Lead operational development projects (e.g., systems implementation, policy development, facilities planning) to strengthen CARES' research delivery.
• Governance Support - Provide high-quality inputs to the CARES Governing Board and other decision-making bodies, ensuring robust information flow for strategic decisions. Acting as secretary and minute-taker when necessary.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Manage relationships with key external stakeholders, including government agencies, funders, and industry partners,representing CARES in Singapore and internationally.
• Grant Management - Support pre-award planning and coordination for major research bids, ensuring operational readiness.
• Deputising for COO - Act as the COO's representative on the ground in Singapore during periods of travel or leave, ensuring continuity of leadership and operational delivery.
• Resources Managed - Oversight of research grants portfolio (currently SGD77m / GBP45m). Strategic input into facilities and infrastructure development, including laboratory and office space.

Skills

Governance support

Strategic planning

Operational delivery

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Grant management

Minute-taking

Communication skills

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

CAMBRIDGE CENTRE FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN SINGAPORE LTD. seeks an Associate Chief Operating Officer to join the leadership team of CARES in Singapore.

The role reports to the COO and partners with CARES Directors to advance operations, governance, and strategic development during a growth phase. The Associate COO will oversee functions across the Centre, drive strategic initiatives, coordinate activities, and support delivery of CARES' research and operational objectives in